Multipack packaging rings for beverage cans

ABSTRACT

Multipack packaging rings for holding a plurality of beverage cans of a type haying a upper portions formed into circular necks of reduced diameter which seal to lids around circumferential seams. The rings are formed from a foldable sheet material having in a first panel a first set of circular apertures with inwardly directed tabs. In use of the rings the tabs engage under the circular necks. In an adjoining second panel a second set of substantially smooth edged circular apertures correspond in layout to the first set so that when the second panel is folded over along a line between the panels apertures of said second set correspond in position to those of the first set and the second panel overlies and reinforces the first panel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to multipack packaging. More particularly, although not exclusively, it discloses an improved form of packaging rings for beverage cans and other like containers.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to currently pending Australian Provisional Patent Application 2019903258; filed on Sep. 4, 2019; titled MULTIPACK PACKAGING RINGS FOR BEVERAGE CANS.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While it is common to use what is known in the packaging industry as six pack rings to secure and transport beverage cans such existing packaging has disadvantages. One important problem is that non-biodegradable plastic versions of the rings are difficult to dispose of without degrading or polluting the environment. Although single layer biodegradable paperboard or cardboard versions are known the thickness required to achieve the strength to hold the beverage cans makes printing indicia on the packaging difficult. With current six pack rings there is also no convenient area for printing a bar code which can be easily located and scanned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly multipack packaging rings are disclosed for holding a plurality of beverage cans of a type having upper portions formed into circular necks of reduced diameter which seal onto lids around circumferential seams, said rings being formed by a foldable sheet material having in a first panel thereof a first set of apertures with inwardly directed tabs which in use of the rings engage under said circumferential seams and in an adjoining second panel thereof a second set of substantially smooth edged apertures corresponding in layout to said first set whereby when said second panel is folded over along a line between said panels apertures of said second set correspond in position to respective ones of said first set and said second panel overlies and reinforces said first panel. Preferably said sheet is of a thickness not exceeding 0.7 mm to facilitate printing.

It is further preferred that one of said sections is formed with a display tag which is adapted in a position of use to extend downwardly from an edge thereof.

It is further preferred that the circumferential edges of said second set of apertures are substantially smooth and are sized for a push fit over the seams.

It is further preferred that there are six apertures in each of said first and second sets which are arranged in a rectangular array.

It is further preferred that finger holes are formed in said panels for carrying the packaging rings.

In another aspect a flat blank is disclosed for constructing multipack packaging rings, said blank being of foldable sheet material and including first and second panels joined along a fold line, said first panel having a first set of apertures with inwardly directed tabs forming an inside edge thereof and said second panel having a second set of substantially smooth edged apertures corresponding in layout to said first set.

In another aspect the invention also discloses a method of assembling said multipack packaging rings, said method including the steps of:—

-   -   Pressing said first section down over the seams of an         arrangement of said cans corresponding to the position of said         first set of apertures whereby said tabs resiliently bend         upwardly and outwardly before displacement back to engage under         said seams, and     -   Folding said second panel along said line between the panels         whereby the apertures of said second set correspond in position         to respective ones of said first set and said second panel         overlies and reinforces the first panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One currently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached representations in which:—

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flat blank of foldable sheet for constructing multipack packaging rings according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one type of beverage can for which the packaging rings may be used;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the first panel when placed over the lids of a rectangular arrangement of six beverage cans of the type shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the neck and lid of one of the beverage cans of FIG. 3 which shows the engagement of the tabs of the first panel located under the circumferential seam of said can;

FIG. 4A is a another detailed view of said neck and lid of one of the beverage cans with the second panel folded over;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of assembled multipack packaging rings for a six pack of said beverage cans in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plate for pressing the panels over the can lids when assembling the multipack packaging rings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to FIG. 1 there is shown a flat blank 1 of foldable material. It is preferably between 0.4 mm to 0.7 mm thickness to provide the necessary strength to hold the beverage cans while still facilitating printing. Suitable material for the blank may be paperboard, cardboard, card stock or other biodegradable materials including plastics such as a biodegradable PLA film as would be known to a person skilled in the art. With this embodiment the currently preferred material is 508 ums/391 gms Custom Kote as produced by Westrock Packaging Systems of Atlanta Ga. United States of America. The blank is die cut using known methods and apparatus to form a set of circular apertures 2 arranged in a rectangular array within a first panel section 1A. There are inwardly directed tabs 3 formed between notches 4 arranged around the circumference of these apertures 2. With this example of an embodiment for use with known 375 ml aluminium drink cans as described below the diameter 4A of the apertures 2 as measured between opposite inside edges of the tabs 3 may be 47.5 mm. The length 4B of the tabs 3 in the radial direction may be 4 mm. The sheet further includes an adjoining second panel section 5 of similar shape and size to panel 1A. Panel 5 is cut to form a set of circular apertures 6 with smooth edges 7. These apertures 6 correspond in arrangement to the aforementioned apertures 2 in panel 1A and with this embodiment which is intended for 375 ml cans may have diameters 7A of 53 mm. On one side panel 5 joins with panel 1A along a fold line 7B. The other side joins a display tag 8 along another fold line 9. Both panels 1A and 5 preferably have rounded corners 10.

An example of a 375 ml aluminium beverage can for use with the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, is a well known design as manufactured for example by Visy industries Australia Pty Ltd of Southbank Victoria 3006 Australia. It has a one piece side wall 11 and bottom 12 which is stamped and pressed from a single sheet of aluminium. The upper portion of the can is formed into a neck 13 of reduced diameter and the top edge of the wall seals to the lid 14 along a circumferential seam 15. The outside diameter of this seam with this embodiment is 54 mm. so that the aforementioned apertures 6 are preferably a push fit thereover.

To form the packaging rings panel 1A is first pressed down over the seams 15 of an arrangement of cans corresponding to the position of the apertures 2 as shown in FIG. 3. The diameters of the apertures 2 between the inside edges of opposite tabs are, with this embodiment, preferably 6.5 mm less than the diameter of the seam 15 so that as they are pressed down over the seam the tabs 3 are initially bent in the region of their base 15A upwardly and outwardly before resiliently displacing at least partially back to engage under said seam as shown in FIG. 4.

The cans are thereby held by the tabs 3 within the panel apertures 2 in accordance with the invention. The second panel 5 is then folded over along line 7A (see arrow) so that the smooth edged apertures 6 push fit over respective ones of the seams 15 whereby said panel 5 overlies and reinforces panel 1A underneath. As shown in FIG. 4A the edges 7 of the apertures 6 also press inwardly against the tabs 3 above their base 15A to hold and lock them under the seams 15. This novel locking action secures the cans against accidental slippage out of the rings. The display tag 8 may then be bend down along fold line 9 to locate at the front of the multipack rings as shown in FIG. 5. This tag 8 is ideally placed for scanning of bar codes or the display of other indicia. There may also be finger holes 16 along the centre of the multi-pack packaging rings which align through both panels when folded over. This folded over double layered construction for the rings according to the invention provides improved packaging strength for lifting and transporting the cans while still only requiring a relatively thin biodegradable sheet. This facilitates printing and subsequent disposal of the packaging rings after use.

It is to be understood that the dimensions provided for the aforementioned embodiment are given by way of nonlimiting illustrative example for a 375 ml beverage cans and may change for other can sizes and designs without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will also be understood that directional references used herein such as “upper”, “upwardly”, “over”, “bottom”, “down”, “downwardly” and the like refer to the packaging rings in one position of use as illustrated and are not to be construed as necessarily limiting.

A plate 17 as shown in FIG. 6 is also disclosed for simultaneously pressing the panels apertures over the can seams in this case there is a rectangular array of apertures 18 with bevelled edges 19 on one face. When the sheet panels are aligned over the cans and then pressed down with this plate the apertures 2 and 6 are quickly and neatly fitted over the seams. With high volume packaging operations this plate would preferably be incorporated into a suitable mechanical press.

It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiment disclosed provides novel and improved multipack packaging rings for beverage cans. The example disclosed however is only the currently preferred. form of the packaging rings and a variety of modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example the number and arrangement of the cans packaged by the rings may vary from the six-pack rectangular array shown. The shape, size dimensions, configuration and placement of the apertures as well as the shape and position of the display tag may all be changed in accordance with the size, design and number of the cans to carried by the packaging rings without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. Multipack packaging rings for holding a plurality of beverage cans of a type having a upper portions formed into circular necks of reduced diameter which seal to lids around circumferential seams, said rings being formed from a foldable sheet material having in a first panel thereof a first set of circular apertures with inwardly directed tabs which in use of the rings engage under said circumferential seams and in an adjoining second panel thereof a second set of substantially smooth edged circular apertures corresponding in layout to said first set whereby when said second panel is folded over along a line between said panels apertures of said second set correspond in position to respective ones of said first set and said second panel overlies and reinforces said first panel.
 2. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inwardly directed tabs are formed between notches arranged around the circumference of said first set of apertures.
 3. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 2 wherein diameters of said first set of apertures as measured between inside edges of opposite ones of said tabs are sufficiently less than the diameters of the seams whereby during assembly of said rings as said first set of apertures are pressed down over the seams the tabs are initially bent upwardly and outwardly to clear said seams before displacing at least partially back to engage under said seams.
 4. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 3 wherein said second set of apertures are sized to provide a push fit over said seams.
 5. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 4 wherein when said second panel is folded over along said line and the second set of apertures is press fitted over said seams the edges of said second set of apertures press inwardly against the tabs to hold and lock said tabs under the seams.
 6. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 5 wherein said line comprises a preformed crease in said sheet.
 7. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 6 wherein one of said panels is formed with a display tag which in a position of use extends downwardly from an edge thereof.
 8. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 7 wherein there are six apertures in each of said first and second sets which are arranged in a rectangular array.
 9. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 8 wherein said sheet material is of a thickness not exceeding 0.7 mm.
 10. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 10 wherein finger holes are formed in said panels for carrying the packaging rings.
 11. Multipack packing rings as claimed in claim 10 wherein said sheet material is biodegradable paperboard, cardboard or card stock or a biodegradable plastic.
 12. A method of assembling multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 1 said method including the steps of: pressing said first panel down over the seams of an arrangement of said cans corresponding to the position of said first set of apertures whereby said tabs resiliently bend upwardly and outwardly before displacing at least partially back to engage under said seams. folding said second panel along said line between said panels whereby said apertures of said second set correspond in position to respective ones of said first set and said second panel overlies and reinforces said first panel.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 12 and including a further step of bending a display tag formed as part of one of said sections down along another fold line to locate at the front of said multipack packaging rings.
 14. A plate for assembling multipack packing rings as claimed in claim 1 by simultaneously pressing said sets of panel apertures over the can seams said plate including an array of circular holes with bevelled edges on one face which correspond in position to said sets of panel apertures.
 15. A flat blank for constructing multipack packaging rings, said blank being of foldable sheet material and including first and second panels joined along a fold line, said first panel having a first set of circular apertures with inwardly directed tabs forming an inside edge thereof and said second panel having a second set of substantially smooth edged circular apertures corresponding in layout to said first set. 